Benny's Hyperactivity

[agilebasenji]

yes, what tanza said - buster cube is one name-brand. i feed my young dogs with this sort of thing.

Kong - try a kibble/cream cheese blend and freeze it over night - yummy, yummy!

Also, look into clicker training. doesn't matter what you train him to do (beyond basics), you really want to engage his little brain. there are lots of websites/youtubes out there on clicker training. i like these webs:

http://www.shirleychong.com/
(check out that loose lead walking!)
http://www.clickertraining.com/
http://www.clickandtreat.com/Clicker_Training/GG/gg.htm

Also he may not be getting enough exercise (and it only gets harder when it gets colder). I've been known to use a long line (not flexi) to let my dog run more.

[sharronhurlbut]

It would help you and him if you can get him to a gentle obedience class.
It will help you learn how to work with him, and him to realize you are the boss.
Its always a time hassle, but you will find it so worth it.
Also, if you can find a lure coursing group, you will have one tired basenji….

[lvoss]

Another Kong recipe:
Equal portions of kibble and canned pumpkin
1-2 spoonfuls of canned dog food
Mix together in mixing bowl.
Stuff into Kong then freeze.

I usually stuff a bunch all at once that way I have them in the freezer when I need one.

[tanza]

Thanks… totally forgot the name... "Buster Cube"....gggg

[Benny]

Thanks for all of the tips. Is this what you're talking about?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Buster-Cube-Dog-Toy-Treat-Food-Feeder-Puzzle-Large-NEW_W0QQitemZ120333124124QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item120333124124&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[agilebasenji]

yes, i actually one of these:
http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-25203#longdesc

I like it better b/c it is quieter. the buster cube is hard platic and noisy. this one is made of soft rubber and a little easier for the dog to manipulate since it is round. however, i don't think it is quite as durable. i had a buster cube, but ended up throwing it away because (after years of use) there was some mold at the bottom and i tried everything to clean it to no avail. i would say i probably did get my $ worth out of the buster cube.

[agilebasenji]

i should add i did not like this one:

http://www.alphadogtoys.com/twist_treat_rubber_dog_chew_toys.html

after a few runs through the dishwasher (top rack) i cannot screw it down enough for the treats to dispense. the just spill out. i tried to lubricate the screw part, but that made it worse. ick.

[Nemo]

@agilebasenji:

i should add i did not like this one:

http://www.alphadogtoys.com/twist_treat_rubber_dog_chew_toys.html

after a few runs through the dishwasher (top rack) i cannot screw it down enough for the treats to dispense. the just spill out. i tried to lubricate the screw part, but that made it worse. ick.

This one isn't my favorite either but I have treated it more like a Kong and put peanut butter or other "paste-like" concoctions into it.

[Janneke]

@Benny:

Now, it seems when he's not sleeping, he's looking to get into trouble some how. He doesn't bite to hurt, but he does it to play. He's more explorative, he pulls everything off of every counter, desk, table and toilet he can reach.

This sounds like he could be my 11 month old pup :rolleyes:
I think you have to make sure he's really tired.. I walked Tillo for an hour this morning (in the rain..) I try to do some tricks with him and let him meet some other dogs. When we're back at home, he's satisfied. No need to bite for attention.. Just time to relax. I give him something to chew on and after that he sleeps. (or stares out of the window.. he's doing that right now :))

@Benny:

He doesn't respond to "No", he never has, but it hasn't been a big deal until now. It seems when we are firm with him and yell, he gets even more hyper.

Any tips?

Try a waterbottle.. We have done that for a couple of weeks.. and now I only have to whisper 'no' and he takes off..

@Benny:

Also, he's always been an ankle biter when people move fast around him, he'll go after their ankles playfully, but it hurts. Does anyone know how to stop this?

A waterbottle could help here as well. You could also try to make people stop walking and ignore him. If he stops, praise him.

@Benny:

One more thing, we take him for 2-3 15 minute walks/day. Any time a car drives by, he trys to run after it, anyone know any tips to get him to stop?

I would really try to upgrade the lengths of the walks.. And the obedience isn't a bad idea either. When you're outside and he tries to chase a car, stop walking and wait for the dog to look/come to you.. (most of the time they will.. because they wonder why you stopped..). Again praise for the good behaviour. (he's walked on leash right?)

[Benny]

@lvoss:

Another Kong recipe:
Equal portions of kibble and canned pumpkin
1-2 spoonfuls of canned dog food
Mix together in mixing bowl.
Stuff into Kong then freeze.

I usually stuff a bunch all at once that way I have them in the freezer when I need one.

Thanks for the recipe. What size kong do you have? We bought the kong for powerful chewers 15-35lbs. He messed with it a little bit, but it seems like it's too tough for him.

[Benny]

@Janneke:

This sounds like he could be my 11 month old pup :rolleyes:
I think you have to make sure he's really tired.. I walked Tillo for an hour this morning (in the rain..) I try to do some tricks with him and let him meet some other dogs. When we're back at home, he's satisfied. No need to bite for attention.. Just time to relax. I give him something to chew on and after that he sleeps. (or stares out of the window.. he's doing that right now :))

Try a waterbottle.. We have done that for a couple of weeks.. and now I only have to whisper 'no' and he takes off..

A waterbottle could help here as well. You could also try to make people stop walking and ignore him. If he stops, praise him.

I would really try to upgrade the lengths of the walks.. And the obedience isn't a bad idea either. When you're outside and he tries to chase a car, stop walking and wait for the dog to look/come to you.. (most of the time they will.. because they wonder why you stopped..). Again praise for the good behaviour. (he's walked on leash right?)

Thanks for the tips… yes, he is walked on a leash. We'll give those a try, I hope they work. He hates water, so it should teach him what no means.

[Benny]

@agilebasenji:

yes, i actually one of these:
http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-25203#longdesc

I like it better b/c it is quieter. the buster cube is hard platic and noisy. this one is made of soft rubber and a little easier for the dog to manipulate since it is round. however, i don't think it is quite as durable. i had a buster cube, but ended up throwing it away because (after years of use) there was some mold at the bottom and i tried everything to clean it to no avail. i would say i probably did get my $ worth out of the buster cube.

Did you buy the small or medium amaze-a-ball?

[youngandtired]

I have put kibble in a empty clean 16oz. soda bottle. Leave the cap off and your furbaby will try to get the kibble out, Sahara loves to play with these, and they are cheap.

[agilebasenji]

i have the large one, but the other breed in the house is a belgian malinois and i think it was really our first malinois's toy. i know the one i have can hold over a cup of kibble in it. that would be a bit much for a basenji, so you may want to get the medium size. i don't think the basenji can carry mine off (malinois can), but she can sure get the kibble out!

[Schouiffy]

my personal 2 cents, is that he is not being walked enough. I second everyone else's ideas for toys - but my mind jumped to the walking. That's not even an hour outside, I know my little girl, if she doesn't get a solid 3 hours of walk time (if not more) through out the day, she is a nightmare. Now, all Basenjis are different, and all owners have different ways to burn off that extra energy (although much of us can contribute that to a second B, hehe) but I know for Lycia, 90% of the time she has too much energy or is just being obnoxious is when she needs a walk. Do you have a dog park close by where he can really RUN? Can he work out with you? Do you have a friend who has a dog that you could trade walk times with - so he had a buddy to burn off "all that extra fun" he has pent up? Ppl are normally very open to having their dog have a playbuddy, it's mutually beneficial - you could even do a advert of Craigslist for one if you didn't have a doggie friend.

Anyway - good luck!

[myran]

I agree totally with schouiffy 15min x 2-3 isn´t enough he has hardly time to pee and poop not to mention excercise.The mental training is excellent but he need´s minimum 1,5 hours excercise a day he needs a proper walk in a leash were you train your leadership but he also needs to play with other dog´s to keep him well socialized.One´s or twice a week take him on busrides maybe visit a train station get him used to elevators and escalators if he isn´t already.And just let him confront with new things and new humans/dog´s.
Mine if they don´t get their daily excercise especially when they were younger you could see the glint in their eye´s as if they were planning what next to do as mischeaf:D

[PhocoenaGirl]

1. definitely agree with myran - longer walks. If you can manage it, bike with your b. You both can go faster, he tires faster and if you are pressed for time this will be a great substitute for a 15 min walk.

2. The toilet paper tube (or paper towel) stuffed with kibble or treats is really effective at keeping my boy busy. He enjoys it too because he is actually allowed to destroy something. He knows he can have the tube to destroy but sometimes, he runs off with it and destroys it behind the couch.

3. Work on obedience and also anything you can think of to make him think. Mental exercise will tire him as well.

4. You can also get a cheap tupperware container with a screw on lid. Cut a small hole in the top and fill it with treats or kibble. I call this a rollie and Beegin loves it. Guaranteed 30 mins of tossing the rollie in the air and pushing it around and no getting into mischief. When the rollie gets too chewed up, buy another for very little money.

[computerguru2]

I have a similar problem with my boy Diesel. He just turned 1 Dec 1st. I take him for long walks and he runs like a maniac. No matter what toys he has he still chews everything else no matter what I do to distract him-he gets bored really quickly. The Kong works for a couple of minutes as well as stuffed animals, bones and chew toys but then he is off looking for more trouble with "human" things. More trouble than that though-I'm hoping he will calm as he gets a little older-he doesn't sleep. He goes and goes and then just drops and sleeps for an hour or so. If I get up in the night to go to the bathroom-say 2am-he's up and that's it. The biggest problem that I have with him and have never had with any other basenji (for more than 20 years of having them) is he bites and is very aggressive. He bites me-not in play and even if he knows my friends he will suddenly lunge at them for no reason with teeth bared. He has tested negative for diseases that might be giving him pain and nothing I do seems to stop it. I'm afraid I may need to put him down as he cannot be biting my friends or children when they come. I feel it is related to his sleep troubles but have no idea where else to go to look for help. My vet is great but at a loss too. Any help is grately appreciated.

[Quercus]

It sounds like you need more than a trainer (mentioned in your other post)…you need to seek a behaviorist to find out what is causing him to act aggressively. It may be fear based (nervous of strangers) or guarding based (I don't want this person here) or if he would rather just be left alone and your guests aren't respecting that...there are different ways you would go about changing the behavior, based on what the root of the problem is.

I would advise definitely NO physical punishment for this dog...it sounds like he may be quite confused and making his own rules. Definitely check into some behavioral training assistance.

[sharronhurlbut]

Did you talk to his breeder about his behavior?